New state-of-the-art Mayo bridge is officially opened
The Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton has performed the official opening of the new Clongullane Bridge on the N26 near Swinford.
She also unveiled a commemorative plaque at the location with Councillor Seamus Weir, cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council, to mark the completion of N26 realignment work.
There was a big turnout for the ceremony.
The state-of-the art bridge over the River Moy was erected as part of the N26 Cloongullane Realignment Project.
It comprises a single span of 83.1 metres over the River Moy.
The beams were prefabricated at Thompson's Engineering facility in Carlow and were transported to site in six sections with two beams braced together.
Welding, grinding and painting works were completed on the N26 Cloongullane site.
The project was managed by Mayo County Council’s National Roads Office (NRO) and funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
The designer was by Roughan & O’Donovan-AECOM and the main contractor was BAM Civil Ltd.
The project included the realignment of 1.8 kms. of the N26 national primary road between Swinford and Foxford.
The improvement scheme included sections of the road that approach Cloongullane Bridge.
The new bridge and other works will improve the overall safety for road users.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD said: "This project is vital to the families, communities and businesses of north Mayo and I am confident it will provide for safer travel for all road users in the many years ahead.
"Commercial vehicles in particular will benefit from the extended width and alignment as they travel on this new bridge at what was a particularly bad section on the N26.
"Getting the scheme through the various stages from design to planning, construction and completion took a lot of work and it is very positive to see the project come to fruition.
"I congratulate everyone involved in bringing this critical project from concept to delivery.
"The N26 Cloongullane Bridge is the result of strong partnerships which have developed over many years between the local community, local public representatives past and present.
"I am lucky enough to say that this is not my first official road opening as minister here in the beautiful county of Mayo.
"I can tell you with confidence that we will continue to invest in the region, we will continue to work with Mayo County Council and we will continue to engage with communities so as to deliver much needed projects just like the Cloongullane Bridge project in the months and years ahead.
Councillor Seamus Weir, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council welcomed the opportunity to join with the Minister at the opening of the scheme.
He said: “The bridge is a magnificent feat of engineering. This project will make a significant difference to the wider community and all road users of the N26, which services a wide catchment area. I would like to acknowledge all those involved in bringing this project to its completion, particularly the landowners and property owners.’’
Minister Naughton also launched a publication “Cloongullane Bridge: Past and Present."
The publication looks at the history of the old bridge and marks the opening of the new bridge on this very historic day for the area.